East Craigie

Scone Thistle

Report

Saturday 6th October at East Craigie Park, McBookie.comPremier League North:

Saturday saw Scone travel to Dundee to take on East Craigie in what has always been a difficult game & this weeks encounter was another close & competitive game. Having started the season with so many away games, Scone have worked hard to pick up points on the road and with East Craigie having only lost once this season the Jaggies were determined to match their hosts in the early exchanges. East Craigie had the first chance of the afternoon on 6 mins when Marcos Rojas shot wide from the first corner of the match however 2 minutes later Max Avolio had Scone’s first chance but his shot from just inside the area cleared the crossbar. Ross Mitchell came close on 17 minutes after a good run & cross from Aaron Carlon found him in the 6 yard box but with the ball slightly behind him, the effort fell just wide of the post. Ross Mitchell unfortunately picked up a strain on 30 minutes which saw Calum Black come on with Avolio moving up front. The “Shipbuilders” next effort was from a free kick on 37 minutes but was off target before a final chance 3 minutes later also went wide and at the break, the game was all square.

Half time score: East Craigie 0-0 Scone

As the second half started it would be Scone that would generate the first chance when Calum Black had a long range effort on 50 minutes before Josh Gorton was called into action at the other end 2 minutes later. On the hour mark Darren Gray had the next shot on target after Avolio cut the ball back to him only for his effort to be comfortably saved by Dunn. The breakthrough came on 65 minutes when Darren Gray was fouled as he ran into the 6 yard box and Craig Mitchell stepped up to send the keeper the wrong way with his penalty kick to give the visitors the lead. Both sides then made changes with Scone’s Calum Kinnear replacing Ross Wilson & Paul Moran replacing Aiden Benvie for the hosts. Over the next 10 minutes East Craigie had the next couple of chances on target with Josh Gorton saving both before Avolio found himself with just the keeper to beat on 78 minutes. After good work again from Aaron Carlon found him in space only for Max’s shot forcing Dunn to make a good save. Almost immediately East Craigie had a corner kick at the other end and Andy Webster was booked for 2 yellows in the one incident which saw Scone see out the remainder of the game with 10 men. East Craigie didn’t have to wait long and on the next corner Andrew McDonald headed in the equaliser for a share of the points. Scone would make one last change with young Darren Spence replacing Avolio who had worked hard all afternoon to see the rest of the game out. Scone will be happy to come away with a point but will be disappointed not to have nicked all 3 with only 10 minutes to go.

Full time score: East Craigie 1-1 Scone

Man of the match for Scone: Craig Mitchell (sponsored by Alex Spence) who deputised in defence and as Captain for Willie Laing & scored to give Scone the lead. After the match, manager Derek Lawson (sponsored by LindsaysButcher & Ronnie McNeill – Painter/Tiler) told Jaggies News “I’m disappointed not to win the game after taking the lead. Credit to East Craigie who made it a good contest in what is always a hard place to go. We now look forward to a very tough test on Saturday away to Lochee Utd.“. Next up for Scone is the newly named Signature Signs Cup against the aforementioned Lochee United for a 2:30pm kick off.

Match day 9 summary:

The only other 2 sides to draw were Dundee North End & Luncarty with Arbroath Vics beating Coupar Angus 2-1 a score matched by Dundee Violet away to Forfar Albion. Blairgowrie ran out 3-1 winners at home to Brechin Vics and the biggest scoreline of the day saw Kinnoull come back to beat Lochee Harp 7-4 after being behind at half time. Scone stay 5th but with only 7 points separating the Top 7 the League is shaping up very interestingly the updated table is available here.